Manmohan, other Cong leaders back Rahul as he files nomination

New Delhi, Dec 4: Congress leaders and veterans on Monday welcomed the party Vice President Rahul Gandhi filing his nomination for the post of president, paving the way for his elevation to the top post.

All party senior leaders, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and state Chief Ministers were present at 24, Akbar Road -- Congress Party headquarters -- to support the 47-year-old leader who will be the fifth Gandhi at the party helm, if chosen, which is almost a certainty.
Dr Singh said Mr Gandhi is a darling of the Congress and he will carry forward the great traditions of the party. He said, '' Ms Sonia Gandhi has very ably served the Congress party for 19 years. This is yet another step to carry forward the great tradition.''
Hailing the nomination, senior party leader Anand Sharma said it was a conscious and considered decision of the party. In January, 2013, Mr Gandhi was elected the party Vice President in Jaipur, now he was chosen for the party's top post unanimously, he maintained. He said all senior leaders and PCCs have signed for the nomination process. He rubbished the BJP charge that there was no democracy in the Congress.
Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu told reporters they have trust where there was character. ''When senior leaders like Dr Manmohan Singh and PC Chidambaram were there, and there were a lot of problems, then Mr Gandhi soaked in all the pressure. He is a mature person who had gone through all the pressures of life and emerged a winner.
'' He had power but he never misused it. It's Congress good luck that he is ready to take party reins.'' Mr Sidhu decribed him as ''Babbar Sher''.  UNI